Seeking a more productive relationship with lawmakers

Sheila McDevitt, incoming chairwoman of the State University System Board of Governors, wants to see the board improve relations with the Legislature after a year spent feuding over control issues - primarily tuition.

To that end, she's created a new committee to oversee the agency's governmental affairs.

"The new Legislative, Governmental and Community Initiatives Committee will develop long-range strategies on legislative issues and will help the Board of Governors forge a strong and productive relationship with the Florida Legislature," McDevitt said in a news release.

The committee members will be Ann W. Duncan of Tampa, Dr. J. Stanley Marshall of Tallahassee, Frank T. Martin of Tallahassee, student member Arthur "AJ" Meyer of Florida International University, Lynn Pappas of Jacksonville, Ava L. Parker of Jacksonville, Tico Perez of Orlando, faculty member Judith Solano of the University of North Florida. Carolyn King Roberts of Ocala will serve as vice-chair, and McDevitt will head the group.

McDevitt, who also announced board committee chairs, visited the University of Central Florida on Thursday. The Orlando Sentinel reports that she intends to "turn the volume down" on tuition issues and instead focus on making the SUS more efficient.

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.